Gunman in Mistletoe Drive shooting convicted of manslaughter

Corpus Christi Police have arrested 38-year-old Aldo Miguel Naranjo on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting that in the 4400 block of Mistletoe Drive on Monday night.(Photo: Nueces County Jail)

Naranjo took the witness stand Thursday and Friday, and maintained he fired his gun in self defense.

Earlier in the week, Cunha's teenage daughter testified Naranjo handed her a note at a Stripes convenience store with his name and phone number scrawled on it. The teen's father approached Naranjo in the parking lot.

There, Naranjo said on the stand, he and Cunha had an altercation; the father yelled at Naranjo and flipped off his cap.

After leaving, the teen said her father believed they were being followed and at some point pulled over. Cunha and Naranjo got out of their vehicles, and Cunha was shot, she said.

Naranjo maintained Cunha, who uses a walking cane, struck him with a "metal object," and Naranjo shot because he was afraid for his life.

Naranjo's parents testified their son has long dealt with anxiety and depression, for which he takes medication. Testimony revealed Narajo was also visiting a methodone clinic several times a week around the time of the altercation.

Prosecutors argued during closing arguments Friday Naranjo was "enraged" after the altercation at Stripes, fueling the confrontation on Mistletoe.

"This was not self defense," prosecutor Jared Horton said. "It was a murder and it was brutal."